Muckle Hill Climb '24 Nationals Test Event

02.08.23 Dipton Mill Road, Hexham 

73 riders participated in the inaugural race on the MH1 hill climb course on Dipton Mill Road in Hexham.  Due to an issue with our usual location of Prospect Hill in Corbridge, the race also served as a test event for the British National Hill Climb Championships race which we will be hosting at the end of October.

It was a slightly cooler and breezier evening after a few very warm days in the Northeast, but thankfully the torrential rain held off until the end of the evening, only catching out a few riders whilst cycling home.

Andy Smith Photography

The race was won by Andy Cunningham of Ilkley CC in a time, and now course record, of 3:27.0.  Marcus Cram of Muckle CC was second in 3:31.0,  and in third place David Fellows of Solihull CC in 3:33.0.

First female was Rachel Galler of Saint Piran in 4:33.0.  Madeleine Bell of Musselburgh CC was second in 4:36.9, and Sarah Wilkinson of Blaydon CC was third in 5:00.6.

First junior male was Charlie Thew of Muckle CC (4:07.0), and first female junior was Phoebe Langlands of Matlock CC (5:33.0).  The V40 winners were Steven Prince of Ludlow Brewery Race Team (3:51.4) and Louise Burnie of Blaydon CC (5:40.4)

Andy Smith Photography

The V50 category was won by Colin Atkinson of Muckle CC (3:56.9) and Sarah Wilkinson (5:00.6), and the V60 winners were Colin Blacklock of Muckle CC (5:07.6) and Janet Le Luan of Carlisle Reivers CC (6:09.7)

Finally, the mixed team prize was won by Muckle CC with Marcus Cram, Adrian Armstrong and Lois Jarvis. 

The ultimate prize of free pizza awaited all riders and volunteers back at the fantastic HQ venue of Hexham Racecourse, where the generous prize pot was awarded to all winners.  As we’ve come to expect with Muckle events, there was fantastic support, and a great atmosphere on the hill.  The stage is certainly being set for what is going to be a very special national hill climb championships. 

Andy Smith Photography